Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-12-02
Barnum's Big Fire.

! As was briefly announced last week,
the big buildings at Bridgeport, Con-
necticut, where the big show of BsrDum
\ and Bailey had its winter quarters, was
entirely destroyed by fire on Sunday
/ evening. About 10. 80 o'clock an alarm
was sounded, quickly followed by a
/ general alarm, and thousands OF people
were drawn to the spot. In less than
thirty minutes the big building, which
was six hundred by two hundred feet
/ and two stories in height. Was entirely
/ consumed. The first intimation OF the
+ fire was given by the roaring Of the
lions and tigers. which seemed TO re-
alize the impending danger. Next, the
elephants struggled in their chains, but
in an incredibly short time the flames
swept from one end of the huge struc-
ture 10 the other. There were six watch
men employed on the premises, hut
they were helpless to check the flames.
F The upper portion Of the building was
filled with hay and all the parsphernalis
OF the great show. Before the first
alarm ceased sounding the whole build
ing was enveloped in fire and no one
dared to approach the building, being
/ fearful Of the crazed animals. Four
elephants were burned up, and SO broke
from their fastening aud dashed through
the sides of the burning building.
Their roaTS and trumpetlngs and sounds
of torment were terrific. Six elephants
and large African hippopotamus
rushed about the streets, presenting a
sickening appearance. Their sides were
burned, snd great pieces OF flesh foot
/ square fell of. In the main building
were all the principal animals used In
/ the great show, nearly all OF whom
were burned To death, including four
elephants, five lions, seven leopards, six
panthers, fonr kangaroos, six horses
and large number of smaller beasts.
Among the elephants bIrned were
/ Alice, sampson aud the sacred white
/ elephant. One OF the large elephants
escaped, and next morning was found
/ drowned in the sound, near the light
house, where IL had gone in It's fright.
/ Aside from this the only animal that
/ escaped beyond the grounds was n large
/ lion. which wandered into Christopher
Richards barn yard, where it attacked
IA COW and calf, making an early break
fast of the latter. Mrs. Rickard under
took TO drive the beast away, not know
ing or realizing the nature of the beast
until varied by neighbor, when she
made hasty retreat. The animal was
shot soon after by one of the circus en-
ployees. otto Mable, an elephant
trainer. by his heroic efforts saved eigh-
teen elephants.
So rapidly did the flames leap across
the main building that the fremen made
no attemp; 10 save IL. but turned their
streams upon the chariot buildings and
car sheds. which they succeeded In saw
ing, but the heat was So intense thai
N'a' ''' hN'Vhip''H "'Ab wv
difficulty. The total loss Is estimated Mt
$500, 900, upon which there was but
100000 insurance. Before the build
ing went down Barnum's agents were
busy making arrangements for obtain
ing naw lot Of attractions to supply
the loss. Mr.. Brothwell, Barnum's
Bridgeport agent, stated that the show
building would be rebuilt, but not IN
Bridgeport. The great show would
probably go TO Jersey City, where bet
ter railroad facilities could be had.
The watchman making his rounds dis.
covered the fire aud started to give the
alarm, when some unknown person hit
him on the head with blunt instrument,
Telling him to the ground and cutting
number Of severe gashes IN his head.
He staggered 10 his feet and gave the
alarm, enabling the other watchmcn In
the building, who were prepared for
bed, TO escape.